We've learned a lot over the last few years while planning, building, operating, repairing, and managing a mobile poultry processing unit. Drawing on our own experiences and those of other poultry processing projects around the country, we put together this comprehensive guide to planning and constructing an MPPU or stationary facility for on-farm poultry processing.

The guide incorporates tips and lessons learned, case studies and example plans, and lots guidance for anyone thinking about building their own MPPU or other on-farm poultry processing facility, including:

• Choosing a facility type
• Selecting equipment
• Designing a floor plan

For questions about the guide, please contact the New Entry office at 978-654-6745.

The Community Food Projects Indicators of Success 2018 report illustrates the collective impact of Community Food Project grantees based on the metrics from Whole Measures for Community Food Systems. It includes metrics from the 6 areas of impact from Whole Measures: Healthy People, Strong Communities, Thriving Local Economies, Sustainable Ecosystems, Vibrant Farms and Gardens and Fairness and Justice. 

The Indicators of Success Report is created by New Entry for presentation to the USDA to demonstrate the impact of CFPs. All CFP grantees are required to submit Indicators of Success survey data for their project and beneficiaries each year of their grant.

Finding money to purchase land and capital is a huge issue for many farmers. Bank loans, land contracts (aka contracts for deed), and family financing offer some solutions. The legal language behind promissory notes, security agreements, land contracts, and mortgages isn’t just “boilerplate.” Farmers will learn the basics behind these documents. Farmers are also exploring new opportunities such as crowdsourcing funds from farm customers, friends, and members. To avoid costly fines, farmers must pay attention to the state and federal securities laws that affect these opportunities. This webinar will give farmers knowledge of the legal basics when financing farmland.

The Farmer’s Guide to Working with Land Trusts is written for farmers, land trust staff, and farmer service providers. The guide gives an introduction to land trusts, explains how these groups can be powerful partners in a farmer’s search for affordable farmland, and provides detailed information about the process of working with a land trust.

Finding and securing land to farm is one of the biggest challenges that beginning farmers and ranchers face in starting a career in agriculture. Farmland prices are at a record high across the country and land has become increasingly unaffordable for farmers. The land surrounding our nation’s cities, where market opportunities are greatest for beginning farmers, is often the most difficult to access. This guidebook provides farmers with practical tools and resources for partnering with a land trust to access land.

The guide includes:
An introduction to land trusts and conservation easements
A toolbox of ways in which young farmers can partner with a land trust
A guide for reaching out to a land trust, with detailed steps and information about what to expect once you do
An overview of a typical land trust transaction, including a sample timeline and project budget
An appendix, which lists organizations that may be helpful partners in the process of working with a land trust

New Entry prepared a Handbook for Small-Scale Poultry Producer-Processors that describes how to apply for licensure to process poultry using a Massachusetts-inspected MPPU. Producers are encouraged to use the guide to understand basic requirements for MPPU use and licensure. The guide contains:

• Overview of Massachusetts regulations regarding poultry processing
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
• Step-by-Step guidance on completing the Mass Slaughter License application
• What to expect after completing the application
• Regulatory Resources

For questions or clarification about the Handbook, or for technical assistance in completing your local and state approvals for MPPU use, please contact the New Entry office at 978-654-6745.

This plain language guide is written for people who want to start a small farm business. This guide will help you think about the benefits and challenges of owning a farm before you begin, and will introduce you to services that will help you put your farm dream into action. 

In this guide, you will learn about:

• Skills you need to start a small farm
• Risks & rewards of owning a farm
• Resources for investing in your farm
• Making a farm business plan
• Marketing your products

This guide was written for small farmers in the Northeast United States, but can certainly be used in other regions - just keep in mind that some of the example figures might be different in your area. 

A guide for small-scale poultry producers and processors using a Massachusetts-inspected mobile poultry processing unit (MPPU) or stationary on-farm facility. The guide was created by New Entry in partnership with the New England Small Farm Institute with input from Massachusetts state agencies, outlining the food safety and recordkeeping practices required of small-scale poultry processors operating under a slaughter license from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, including:

• On-farm processing safe food handling plan
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
• Standard Operating and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs and SSOPs)
• Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plan
• Sample Daily Use Report Logs for Massachusetts poultry processors

For questions or clarification about the Handbook, or for technical assistance in completing your local and state approvals for MPPU use, please contact the New Entry office at 978-654-6745.

New Entry Food Hub provides market access to beginning farmers, market-based training, and produce aggregation and distribution services to a broad array of consumers.  We operate a Community Supported Agriculture program, food access programs for food insecure families and individuals, and donate produce to food banks and pantries, transitional living centers, and other social service agencies.  Learn more about our 2020 Food Hub operations and impact - COVID-19 had an outsized impact on access to quality food and our farmers stepped up and met the need!

New Entry Food Hub provides market access to beginning farmers, market-based training, and produce aggregation and distribution services to a broad array of consumers.  We operate a Community Supported Agriculture program, food access programs for food insecure families and individuals, and donate produce to food banks and pantries, transitional living centers, and other social service agencies.  Learn more about our 2021 Food Hub operations, impact, and new partnerships!

The New England Small Ruminant Working Group created and distributed a survey of New England sheep and goat farmers in order to better understand two questions:

1. What are the most pressing IPM challenges for New England small ruminant producers?
2. What is the scope of these challenges?

The survey also aimed to provide a better understanding of New England sheep and goat farmers' knowledge and adoption of IPM practices to address these challenges, especially related to internal parasites.

This document serves as a report on the state of IPM challenges and practices among New England small ruminant producers, summarizing survey results and incorporating the input and recommendations of Working Group members, including veterinarians, Extension and other farm service providers, and several sheep and goat farmers.

Written by Sam Anderson (Livestock Program Coordinator, New Entry Sustainable Farming Project). Support from the Northeastern IPM Center.